Saving Diego

“Saving Diego”

By Matthew Kressel

Interzone #221

Ed. Andy Cox

March 1, 2009

Honorable Mention in Best Horror of the Year, Vol. 2. Ed. Ellen Datlow. Honorable Mention in Year’s Best Science Fiction, 27th Annual Collection, Ed. Gardner Dozois. 5th in the Annual 2009 Interzone Readers’ Poll

Accolades

• Honorable Mention in Best Horror of the Year, Vol. 2. Ed. Ellen Datlow.
• Honorable Mention in Year’s Best Science Fiction, 27th Annual Collection, Ed. Gardner Dozois.
• 5th in the Annual 2009 Interzone Readers’ Poll

Reviews

“Throughout the period of [issues] 220-225 there has been much to enjoy. My top three stories are, as they say, in no particular order, ‘Bone Island’ (225), ‘Saving Diego’ (221), and ‘Lady of the White-Spired City’ (222)…The most memorable issue was the outstanding 221.” — Bob Lawson, Interzone Readers Poll

“Told with cyberpunkish verve, ‘Saving Diego’ takes full advantage of its intergalactic setting to interlay themes of the vast and the unknowable alongside human-scaled concerns of addiction, friendship, and betrayal.” — Tangent Online

“‘Saving Diego’ by Matthew Kressel is the second top-tier stories in the magazine. The protagonist travels across the inhabited galaxy to help an old friend quit a powerful drug addiction. The drug turns out to be more than just a brain-altering chemical, and the traveller ends up being caught by it himself. Flashbacks to the earlier lives of the two friends are handled deftly as is the slow revelation of the nature of the drug. A highly recommended story.” — Garbled Signals

“Another very good issue [#221], the standout being ‘Saving Diego’ for me as well.” — Aliette de Bodard

“Saving Diego’ by Matthew Kressel sees a Terran ex-drug addict travel out to the edge of the galaxy in response to a call for help from a friend. Given that Mikal abandoned a stoned Diego to the police years before in Seoul, the call for help is a surprise, as is the nature of Diego’s addiction, and Mikal’s fate is never going to be happy — although it’s implications are fascinating.” — Colin Harvey,SciFiFantasyFiction @ Suite 101

“In Matthew Kressel’s ‘Saving Diego’ a former drug dealer travels across the galaxy to help wean his old partner off of an addictive drug that allows communication with god-like aliens. Kressel initially keeps the SF elements deceptively light, immersing the reader in characterisation as the drug-fuelled relationship between the two leads is examined. When the SF elements kick in they only serve to strengthen an already strong story, with the metaphor of humans being the equivalent of pet cats to the alien creatures being particularly evocative. Add on a satisfying ending to complete the narrative and the result is a stunning slice of science fiction. Highly recommended.” — The Barking Dog